Cruisin’ for a Bluesin’’ captures classic blues

Tuesday

Sep 30, 2008 at 4:03 PM

Christopher Hislop

Stoney and the House Rockers’ latest release “Cruisin’ for a Bluesin’,” is a surprisingly good release from this Florida based group led by Exeter-native Stoney aka Barry Burnham. It’s really hard to capture a classic blues sound in this day of “contemporary blues,” where shredding guitar solos and horn heavy backing sections rule the genre. Stoney and his mates do a good job of celebrating the essence of the blues, which is, get people up, and movin’ — with the band seamlessly making themselves a part of the audience.There’s no mistaking that guitarist Eric Webb still has great blues chops, he is certainly more than capable of throwing in a juicy little solo to make sure you’re paying attention. It’s just that he does not have the pretentious presence that some of today’s blues guitarists are known for. Webb is great at switching styles from the blues, to rock, to sultry jazz licks, which make for a fun listening experience, where the listener is interested to see where he’s headed next.Stoney himself has great vocal capabilities backed with stellar harmonica playing. He takes pride in letting his influences ooze from the instrument and he does so very tastefully all the while adding his own flavor to the mix. One of the better tunes on the record that showcase Stoney’s versatility as a harp player is his ode to the great harmonica player Toots Thieleman, “Tribute to Toots.” The tune also features an interesting acoustic percussion section, which the House Rockers spatter here and there throughout the entirety of the recording.Stoney and the House Rockers are playing extensively on the Seacoast from Oct. 3 thru Oct. 12, so you’ll have more than an ample opportunity to check out this fine blues band. Stoney’s show in Exeter on Oct. 4 was slated to be a shared bill on the Ioka’s main stage with James Montgomery, an especially talented harp player himself, and to whom Stoney dedicates (among others) his latest album. But it was not to be. Instead the show will be held in Club Ioka (downstairs) and Stoney and The House Rockers will play full force from 5 - 8 p.m. Admission is $15 and the CD will be for sale for $10. (Call 778-IOKA and visit www.iokaentertainment.com).For information, visit www.myspace.com/stoneyandthehouserockers.Additional shows are: Shooter’s Pub, Exeter, Oct. 9. (7-11 p.m.); The Blue Mermaid, Portsmouth with The Chris Bonoli Band, Oct. 10 (7-11 p.m.); Bourbon’s at The Muddy River Smokehouse, Portsmouth, Oct. 11 (8 p.m.-1 a.m.); and Daniel Street Tavern, Portsmouth, Oct. 12 (4-8 p.m.).

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